Apparatus and method for sculpting the surface of a joint

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method and device for restoring individual patient joint kinematics using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrumentation of the invention sculpts the articular surface of a first bone that normally articulates in a predetermined manner with a second bone. The instrumentation includes a bone sculpting tool and a mount for attaching the tool to the second bone. The implant system is comprised of implants that provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to restore kinematics as defined by the individual patient anatomy.

This application is a divisional application of commonly assigned patentapplication entitled Apparatus and Method for Sculpting the Surface of aJoint, Ser. No. 09/882,591, filed on Jun. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No.6,482,209.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A joint generally consists of two relatively rigid bony structures thatmaintain a relationship with each other. Soft tissue structures spanningthe bony structures hold the bony structures together and aid indefining the motion of one bony structure to the other. In the knee, forexample, the bony structures are the tibia and the femur. Soft tissuesuch as ligaments, tendons, menisci, and capsule provide support to thetibia and femur. A smooth and resilient surface consisting of articularcartilage covers the bony structures. The articular surfaces of the bonystructures work in concert with the soft tissue structures to form amechanism that defines the envelop of motion between the structures.Within a typical envelop of motion, the bony structures move in apredetermined pattern with respect to one another. When fullyarticulated, the motion defines a total envelop of motion between thebony structures. The soft tissue structures spanning the knee joint tendto stabilize the knee in a transverse plane. This transverse stabilityenables the bony structures to slide and rotate on one another in anorderly fashion.

The articular surfaces are subject to a variety of diseases, accidentsand the like that cause the surfaces to be damaged. A common disorder ofjoints is degenerative arthritis. Degenerative arthritis causesprogressive pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. As thearthritic process develops, the joint surfaces wear away, resulting incontractures of the surrounding soft tissues that provide stability tothe joint. Changes in the articular surfaces resulting from arthritisdecrease stability and increase the translation of the joint.

Treatment of the afflicted articular bone surfaces depends, among otherthings, upon the severity of the damage to the articular surface and theage and general physical robustness of the patient. The end resultcommonly necessitates joint replacement surgery wherein the articulatingelements of the joint are replaced with artificial elements commonlyconsisting of a part made of metal articulating with a part made ofultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

A relatively young patient with moderate to severe degeneration of theknee joint is often treated with drug therapies. While drug therapiesmay temporarily provide relief of pain, progression of the disease, withresulting deformity and reduced function, ultimately necessitatessurgery. Alternative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs, cortisone injections, and arthroscopic debridement similarlyprovide only temporary relief of symptoms.

In severe situations, the entire articular surface of a bone may bereplaced with an artificial surface, as, for example, when condyles atthe distal end of the femur are largely replaced with a prostheticdevice having polished metal condyles and the tibial plateau is replacedwith a plastic bearing that may be supported by a metal component. Jointreplacement surgery has become a proven and efficacious method ofalleviating pain and restoring function of the joint.

Current methods of preparing the intraarticular rigid elements of ajoint to receive components as in joint replacement surgery involve anextensive surgical exposure. The exposure must be sufficient to permitthe introduction of guides that are placed on, in, or attach to thejoint, along with cutting blocks to guide the use of saws, burrs andother milling devices, and other instruments for cutting or removingcartilage and bone that subsequently is replaced with artificialsurfaces. The distal end of the femur may be sculpted to have flatanterior and posterior surfaces generally parallel to the length of thefemur, a flat end surface normal to the anterior and posterior surfaces,and angled flat surfaces joining the above mentioned surfaces, all forthe purpose of receiving a prosthetic device.

A full joint replacement, using the example of the knee joint, alsorequires the proximal end of the tibia to be sculpted to receive aprosthesis having a generally upwardly facing bearing surface mimickingthe normal tibial bearing surface and designed to articulate with thecondylar surfaces of the femoral prosthesis. Typically, this surgery isperformed with instruments or guides to orient cutting blocks, such thatthe preparation of the bone is in concordance with the correct alignmentof the limb and the parts are correctly oriented in both coronal andsagittal positions. The guides are placed on exposed bones and generallyreference anatomical points on that bone to establish a resection plane.For instance, with total knee replacement, arthroplasty guides are usedby referencing, for example, the intramedullary cavity and theepicondylar and posterior condylar axes.

Knee joint prosthesis of the type referred to above are well known, andare described, for example, in Caspari et. al., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,171,244, 5,171,276 and 5,336,266, Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,547,Burstein et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,992, and Insall et. al., U.S. Pat.No. 6,068,658.

Substantial effort has been made to provide appropriate degrees ofcurvature to the condyles. For example, the earlier mentioned U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,171,276, 4,298,992 and 6,068,658 show that the radius ofcurvature in the anterior-posterior direction of the condyle of afemoral prosthesis may be somewhat greater near the anterior portion ofthe condyle than near the posterior portion. Kester et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,824,100 teaches that a portion of this curvature of the condylemay be formed about a constant radius having its origin along a linebetween the lateral and medial collateral ligament attachment points onthe femur.

Historically, a variety of modular prosthetic joint implants have beendeveloped. The following descriptions of modular implants relatespecifically to the knee. Early designs for knee implants, calledpolycentric knee implants, were developed with separate components forthe medial and lateral compartments. Additionally, modular fixed-bearingknee implants having a polyethylene insert that is held relativelyrigidly in place have been developed. Alternately, there are mobilebearing knee implants wherein the polyethylene bearing is designed toslide or move with minimal or no constraint on a tibial baseplate.Furthermore, both meniscal bearing and fixed bearing knee implants havebeen developed including either separate polyethylene bearings or asingle polyethylene bearing that resides on a metallic tibial baseplate.While implant systems have been developed with fixed bearing elements ormobile bearing elements on the medial and lateral sides of thetibiofemoral joint, systems have not been developed having a combinationof a fixed bearing on one side and a mobile bearing on the other side ofthe tibiofemoral joint.

Mobile bearing tibial implants may be configured to be more congruentwith the femoral side of a knee arthroplasty, yielding lower contactstress. The resultant lower contact stress reduces the possibility ofdamage sometimes encountered with some fixed bearing designs wherein theyield strength of the bearing material is exceeded. In general, fixedbearing implant designs are less difficult to properly align and balancethan mobile bearing designs. Mobile bearing designs are frequentlydesirable to reduce contact stress and the resulting wear of the bearingsurface. However, with mobile bearing designs, there is the possibilityof the bearing becoming dislodged from the implant. Additionally, mobilebearing knee designs are more surgically demanding to implant then fixedbearing designs.

The combination of a fixed bearing insert for the medial compartment anda mobile bearing insert for the lateral compartment is particularlyattractive because the lateral femoral condyle rolls backward on thelateral tibial plateau as much as 10 to 20 mm whereas the medial condylemoves only a few millimeters. A mobile bearing insert is able toaccommodate the rollback of the lateral condyle but would not benecessary for the medial condyle.

Two primary difficulties exist with current joint replacement surgeries.These relate to the invasiveness of the procedure and achieving properalignment of the bony structures and the prostheses thereupon.

Alignment. A difficulty with implanting both modular and non-modularknee implants having either separate femoral and/or tibial componentshas been achieving a correct relationship between the components.Surgical instruments available to date have not provided trouble freeuse in implanting multi-part implants wherein the femur and tibia areprepared for precise component-to-component orientation. While alignmentguides aid in accurate orientation of the components relative to theaxis of the long bones to achieve a restoration of a correcttibiofemoral alignment (usually 4–7 degrees valgus), they providelimited positioning or guidance relevant to correctcomponent-to-component alignment and/or ligament tension to restorealignment.

It is preferable to orient implants normal to the resultant forcesthrough the joint to subject bearing surfaces to compressive rather thanshear forces. Moreover, the components of the implant are preferablyoriented one to the other to minimize wear. Complications may result ifthe implant is not correctly oriented with respect to the supportingbone. If the implant is not placed normal to the mechanical axis, ashearing force results between the implant and bone that may lead toimplant loosening.

In a properly aligned knee, the mechanical axis of the leg (a straightline drawn from the center of the hip joint to the center of the ankle)passes slightly medial to the center of the knee. This alignment isgenerally called the gross alignment of the leg. The alignment of theimplants impacts the gross alignment of the leg. If the implants aremalaligned, the resulting mechanical axis may be shifted medially orlaterally, resulting in an imbalance in the loads carried by the medialor lateral condyles. This imbalance, if severe, may lead to earlyfailure of the implant.

In addition, the orientation of the components to each other, forexample the orientation of the femoral to the tibial component, withunicondylar and bicondylar implants has largely not been addressed. Thismay account for the high failure rates of early bicondylar designs andas well as for the higher failure rate of unicondylar implants relativeto total knee implants as demonstrated in some clinical studies. Whenconsidering bicondylar and unicondylar designs, alignment of each partrelative to the other parts is critical to avoid accelerated wear with amal-articulation of the components.

Although various prosthetic devices have been successfully used withpatients, the configuration and position of the articulating surfaces ofthe prosthesis, that is, for example, the condyles in a knee joint arepredetermined based upon the prosthesis that is selected. While effortsare made to tailor the prosthesis to the needs of each patient bysuitable prosthesis choice and size, this in fact is problematicalinasmuch as the joint physiology of patients can vary substantially fromone patient to another.

Invasiveness. In order to appropriately sculpt the articulating surfaceof a bone, it is often necessary to surgically expose the joint. In thecase of the femur, the patellar tendon of the knee joint is surgicallyexposed and is moved to one side of the joint to enable a substantiallyfull anterior access to the joint. Surgical exposure is necessary toaccommodate the bulk and geometry of the components as well as theinstruments for bone preparation. Such surgical exposure increasesbleeding, pain, and muscle inhibition; all of which contribute to alonger hospitalization before the patient can be safely discharged tohome or an intermediate care facility.

Desirably, in the case of knee replacement surgery, neither thecollateral ligaments nor the cruciate ligaments are disturbed, althoughit is often necessary to remove or release cruciate ligaments in theevent a substantial joint replacement is to be performed. Collateralligaments can be partially taken down or released to provide appropriatetension adjustment to the patient's knee in concert with jointreplacement surgery. In most instances, such releases can beaccomplished through smaller incisions than the standard midline ormedial parapatellar incisions historically used for knee arthroplasty.

Arthroscopic surgery is available, and beneficial, for removing andrepairing damaged intraarticular tissues. Although arthroscopicprocedures are far less invasive and are often successful for minorsurgical repairs, (as when an articular surface is to be smoothed, forexample, or cartilage is to be repaired), such procedures generally arenot appropriate for substantial joint replacement. They are generallyinadequate for replacing joint surfaces with artificial implants.

Conventional surgical procedures including unicompartmental and totaljoint replacement historically require extensive surgical exposure andprolonged hospital stays and rehabilitation. More recently unicondylarprocedures have been performed through smaller incisions that do notnecessitate dislocation of the patella. The reduction in pain and morerapid recovery of knee function has reduced the length of hospital stayand the need for strong narcotic medications. It is desirable to realizesuch benefits for patients with bicompartmental and tricompartmentalknee arthroplasty.

For patients who require articular surface replacement, includingpatients whose joints are not so damaged or diseased as to require wholejoint replacement, it would be desirable to provide surgical methods andapparatuses that could be employed to gain surgical access toarticulating joint surfaces, to appropriately sculpt the surfaces, toprovide artificial, e.g., metal or plastic, articular bearing surfaces,and then to close the surgical site, all without substantial damage ortrauma to associated ligaments and tendons. To reach this goal, ofcourse, a procedure must be provided to enable articulating surfaces ofthe joints to be appropriately sculpted using minimally invasiveapparatuses and procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an implant system that restoresindividual patient joint kinematics and involves minimally invasivesurgical procedures. The instruments and implants disclosed accomplishaccurate bone and soft tissue preparation, implant orientation andimplant fixation through limited surgical exposure. The implant systemis comprised of implants and instrumentation that provide intraoperativesurgical options for articular constraint and facilitate properalignment and orientation of the knee to restore kinematics as definedby the individual patient anatomy. To do so, the implants provide asurgeon intraoperative options to reconstruct various degrees of jointstability via selection of fixed or mobile bearing components for eachcompartment of the knee (medial tibiofemoral joint, lateral tibiofemoraljoint and patellofemoral joint). The range of implants may cover eachcompartment of the knee and may include combinations of fixed and mobilebearing configurations.

In traditional total knee replacements, the femoral component isgenerally a unitary piece and the tibial component is a unitary piece.In the current invention, the femoral side may be resurfaced by two orthree components and the tibial side may be resurfaced by two componentsor a unitary piece. Optionally, the components of the femoral side maybe comprised of a plurality of flexible segments.

Proper alignment and positioning of the implant components isfacilitated by instrumentation that utilizes the soft tissue structuresof the knee to guide bony resections for patient-specific alignment andorientation of the implants. The surgical instrumentation prepares thearticular surfaces of a synovial joint from a single point of referenceto allow the introduction of separate components for the medial andlateral tibiofemoral compartments, and the patellofemoral compartmentswith precise orientation. Thus, the instrumentation provides bonyresections in accordance with such alignment and orientationrequirements. The alignment positioning is important for properrestoration of anatomic alignment of the knee joint and for properorientation of the components to one another.

With respect to forming or sculpting articular surfaces of a joint, themethod of the current invention enables the articular bone surfaces tobe sculpted according to the individual physiology of each patient torestore as much as possible the natural junction of the joint. In thismethod, a bone sculpting tool is attached to one of the bones of ajoint, and the tool sculpts the articular surface of the other bone asthe joint is articulated.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofappropriately sculpting the articular surface of a first bone thatnormally articulates with a second bone. The method involves providingan apparatus comprising a bone sculpting tool attached to a bone mount,attaching the mount rigidly to the second bone with the tool in bonesculpting engagement with the articular surface of the first bone, andthen sculpting the articular surface by articulating one of the boneswith respect to the other.

In some situations, it may be desirable to distract the first bone fromthe second bone either preoperatively or during surgery. Thus, adistractor may be provided with the apparatus. A distraction forceprovided between the femur and the tibia during the sculpting procedureaccounts for material that has worn away from the articular surfaces.Use of a distraction force generally re-establishes normal alignment ofthe joint. Additionally, a distractor may be used preoperatively toassess the range of motion of the joint and patient kinematics.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for sculptingthe articular surface of a first bone that normally articulates in apredetermined manner with the second bone. The apparatus comprises abone sculpting tool, a mount attachable rigidly to the second bone, andan adjustable attachment attaching the sculpting tool to the mount andenabling the position and orientation of the tool to be adjusted intobone-sculpting proximity to the articular surface so that the articularsurface is sculpted as the second bone is articulated with respect tothe first bone. Alternately, a plurality of bone sculpting tools may beused where the tools are positioned either on individual mounts or on asingle mount to support the plurality of tools.

The invention also provides implants for replacing the surfaces of thejoint between the first bone and the second bone. The implants arespecifically designed to fit through minimally invasive incisions andincorporates any and all combinations of fixed and mobile bearinginserts or parts. Since the surgical procedure preferably is performedthrough minimally invasive incisions the implants are designed to fitthrough such incisions and be either oriented or joined within thejoint.

The implants include a second bone baseplate and a first bone implant.The second bone baseplate may be either one piece to cover most of theprepared surface of the second bone as relates to the joint, or separatebaseplates as have been used with mobile and fixed bearing prostheticcomponents. In addition, the second bone baseplate may accommodateseparate fixed and mobile bearing inserts. The first bone implant iscomprised of a plurality of components to replace the bearing surface ofthe first bone. Optionally, a portion of the first bone implant may beconfigured of a plurality of flexible segments bonded in place. Such aconfiguration permits the articulation of the second bone to the firstbone to mould the flexible segments in appropriate position.

Thus, in a further embodiment, the invention provides a method ofappropriately replacing the articular surface of a first bone thatnormally articulates with a second bone. The method involves providingan apparatus comprising a bone sculpting tool attached to a bone mount,attaching the mount rigidly to the second bone with the tool in bonesculpting engagement with the articular surface of the first bone, andthen sculpting the articular surface by articulating one of the boneswith respect to the other. Further, resurfacing the articular surfaceswith appropriate minimally invasive implants wherein the implants arejoined within the confines of the joint cavity. In one embodiment, aplurality of flexible segments are provided to resurface a portion ofthe first bone. The flexible segments are set in an adhesive along theresected surface of the first bone.

Specifically, for example, the invention may be used for replacing thesurfaces of a femur and a tibia. Thus, a femoral implant having aplurality of components and a tibial baseplate are provided. The tibialbaseplate may have a fixed bearing attachment as well as a mobilebearing attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of knee joint.

FIG. 2 shows a traditional midline incision for accessing the knee jointduring total knee replacement surgery.

FIG. 3 shows an incision for accessing the knee joint during total kneereplacement surgery that may be used in with the method and apparatus ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows alternate incisions for accessing the knee joint duringtotal knee replacement surgery that may be used in with the method andapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the a cavity created in thetibial plateau in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of an instrument for creating a resection inthe tibial plateau according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the instrument of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an instrument for creating a resection inthe tibial plateau according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 shows an end view of the instrument of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of tibial resections formed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the resections shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of one of the resections shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the present inventionhaving a cutting attached to a tibial resection.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a configuration of the cutting element ofFIG. 13 connected to a motor according to an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show alternate views of a cutting element driven by ahydraulic motor in accordance to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show alternate views of a cutting element driven by ahydraulic motor in accordance to an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 shows an end view of a cutting element in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the cutting element of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows an end view of a cutting element in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of the cutting element of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 shows an end view of a cutting element in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows a side view of the cutting element of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows a side view of a cutting element in accordance with afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows an end view of the cutting element of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the cutting element of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 shows an end view of a cutting element in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 show a top view of the cutting element of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional view of the cutting element of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 illustrates the kinematics of the articulation of the knee jointin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 shows plan view of two cutting element linked by a hingemechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows a plan view of an alternate state of the two cuttingelement linked by a hinge mechanism of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 shows a sectional view of a cutting element and distractoraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 shows a top view of the cutting element of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 shows a plan view of distractors deployed in the knee jointaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 shows a plan view of femoral resections made in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 shows a plan view of the femoral implants of FIG. 41 placed inthe resections illustrated in FIG. 37 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 39 show a plan view of the femoral implants of FIG. 42 placed inthe resections illustrated in FIG. 37 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 40 shows plan views of alternate embodiments of tibial baseplatesin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 shows a plan view of femoral implants for resurfacing thefemoral resections of FIG. 38 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 42 shows a plan view of femoral implants for resurfacing thefemoral resections of FIG. 40 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 43 shows a plan view of a femoral implant in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 shows a plan view of a plurality of components placed in theresections illustrate in FIG. 37 in accordance with present invention.

FIG. 45 shows a plan view of a plurality of components placed in theresections illustrated in FIG. 37 in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the general anatomy of the knee joint. The femur 10has the lateral femoral condyle 12 and the medial femoral condyle 14 onits knee-joint articulating surface. The tibia 16 has the lateralmeniscus 22 (generally opposite the lateral femoral condyle 12) and themedial meniscus 20 (generally opposite the medial femoral condyle 14) onits knee-joint articulating surface. The anterior cruciate ligament 24,the posterior cruciate ligament 28, the medial collateral ligament 26and the lateral collateral ligament 27. The medial tibial condyle 30 andthe lateral tibial condyle 32 support the menisci 20 and 22, which inturn support the femur 10. Additionally, the fibula 34 engages the tibia16.

Typically, a total knee joint replacement involves replacing thearticular surfaces of the lateral femoral condyle 12, the medial femoralcondyle 14, the medial tibial condyle 30 and the lateral tibial condyle32. The lateral meniscus 22, and the medical meniscus 20 are removed.Desirably, neither the collateral ligaments 26 and 27 nor the cruciateligaments 24 and 28 are disturbed. However, the collateral ligaments 26and 27 may be partially taken down to provide appropriate tensionadjustments to the patient's knee after joint replacement has beencompleted.

FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional midline incision 40 for a total kneereplacement surgery. The incision 40 extends vertically substantiallyabove and below the articulating surface between femur and the tibia.Typically, the incision is roughly 8 to 15 centimeters in length. Theincision 40 must be large enough to expose the entire knee jointarticular surfaces with the patella subluxed or dislocated.Additionally, the incision must accommodate insertion of components thatfully cover the end of the femur, the top of the tibia and theundersurface of the patella. The maximum number of components implantedwould include femoral and tibial components for the lateral tibiofemoralcompartment, femoral and tibial components for the medial tibiofemoralcompartment and femoral and patellar components for the patellofemoraljoint. Alternatively, the lateral femoral condyle and the patellargroove may be covered by a common implant.

As seen in FIG. 3, transverse incision 42 extending horizontally alongthe knee joint is one option for the procedure of the present invention.Incision 42 may be vertically opened to expose the joint surfaces of themedial tibiofemoral compartment and the lateral tibiofemoral compartmentwithout dislocating the patella. This keeps the patella in contact withthe femur during the procedure. The components of the instrumentation aswell as the implant are sized for minimal invasiveness and, therefore,may be accommodated by the small incision. The reduced trauma resultingfrom a smaller incision generally results in faster and betterrehabilitation, which in turn generally increases the efficacy of theknee implant.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternate incision format for use with the presentinvention. Two parallel vertically extending incisions 44 and 46 may beformed on either side of the patella. These incisions 44 and 46 arerelatively short and the invasiveness is similar to that of thehorizontal incision in FIG. 3. Each incision 44 and 46 is separatelyextended through the joint capsule to expose the medial and lateraltibiofemoral compartments without dislocating the patella.

Instrumentation.

The instrumentation of the current invention generally calls forresecting the tibia at the lateral tibial plateau and the medial tibialplateau. This resection may be done by methods known by those skilled inthe art, using a resection guide, saw, etc. Alternately, as shown inFIG. 5, a milling burr 43 may be advanced directly into the tibia 16.Milling burr 43 should stop at or short of the posterior cortical wall54. FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view through the cavity created inthe tibial plateau by the milling burrs 47 of FIGS. 6 and 7.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cutting device may be a single millingburr 45 affixed at the forward end of guide element 49. The milling burr45 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has its axel in a medial to lateral direction whenpreparing the tibial plateau. The radius of the milling burr leaves acorresponding radius between the floor and posterior wall of the cavitycreated.

Alternately, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cutting device may be aplurality of milling burrs 47. The milling burrs 47 of FIGS. 8 and 9prepare a corner between the floor and posterior wall of the cavitycreated in the tibial plateau. The corner thus prepared may distributestress uniformly into the supporting bone. The milling burrs 47 create aradius equivalent to the radius of the burr between the sidewalls of thecavity and the posterior wall. Such a radius is easily accommodated bythe tibial implant design. While FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a cutting devicehaving a plurality of milling burrs, the cutting device may beconfigured with one milling burr.

FIG. 10 shows an anterior view of the bone resections 50 and 52 that aremade in the tibial plateau, generally 51. The floor of the medialresection 50 and the floor of the lateral resection 52 are preferablyparallel and co-planar to ensure proper alignment and orientation of themedial and lateral tibial components. The external tools used to guidethe tibial cutter may provide relative alignment between the medial andlateral resections. Alternately, the medial and lateral cavities in thetibial plateau may be prepared simultaneously by having two guideelements 49 linked together by a hinge that restrains the medial andlateral milling burrs 47 in a common plane. The external tools mayfurther provide a positive reference to the posterior aspect of thetibial plateau to ensure that the resections do not penetrate theposterior cortical wall. In FIG. 10, the bone resections are shown tohave a generally rectangular cross-section. However, any cross-sectionto which a bone sculpting tool may be mounted may be used. For example,an arcuate cross-section is acceptable.

FIG. 11 shows a top-view of bone resections 50 and 52 in the tibia 16. Across-sectional view of tibia 16 with a cavity machined into the plateauis depicted in FIG. 12. As seen in FIG. 12, the bone resection 50 shouldstop at or short of the posterior cortical wall 54.

As seen in FIG. 13, upon resection of the tibia, a bone sculpting tool,for example, a femoral cutter, generally 60, is placed in a mount andrigidly attached to the cavity created in the tibia. Rigid attachmentgenerally means providing sufficient stability to prevent relativemotion between the mount and the tibia during articulation. Suchstability may be provided through mere placement of the device in thetibial resection. The femoral cutter is designed to reference the tibialresections 50 and 52 when making the femoral resections. In oneembodiment, illustrated in FIG. 13, the mount is a cradle 62 and is setin the resected tibia. Cutting elements 64 are mounted in the cradle 62and a flexible shaft 66 connects the cutting element to a motor 68 ofFIG. 14. The device fits into the resections 50 and 52 in the tibialmedial and lateral plateaus. Thus, a cutting element is rigidly heldagainst the femoral condyle and the guide surface of the device sets thedepth of resection. Optionally, a second cutting element may be placedin the opposite tibial resection. Thus, for example, two cuttingelements may be placed in the prepared tibial plateau, one in the medialcavity and one in the lateral cavity, and may be used to simultaneouslyresect the femoral condyles. In using two cutting elementssimultaneously, the cutting elements may be linked together by a hingemechanism 62 to further maintain the cutting elements in a common planewhile preparing the femoral condyles (Reference is made to FIGS. 32 and33).

Thus, for example, in knee surgery, the tool may be mounted to the tibiawith the sculpting surface of the tool in engagement with a condylarsurface of the femur that is, one or both of the condyles. As the kneejoint is articulated (flexed), the sculpting tool appropriately sculptsthe articular surface of the femur in a manner that is dependent uponthe individual physiology of that patient's knee, that is, upon thecollateral ligaments, the patellar tendon, etc. Although the inventionis described in the context of a total knee replacement, it isunderstood that the invention has application throughout orthopaedicswhere the surfaces of an articulating joint are to be modified orresurfaced to restore function and relieve pain.

In a preferred embodiment, the knee joint capsule is surgically accessedwithout lateral dislocation of the patella, thereby permitting normalflexion of the knee during the sculpting process. The patient'sindividual physiology and the interplay between the patient's softtissues and bone work to guide the device used for sculpting cartilageand bone from the end of the femur and/or tibia as relates to the knee.In the example of the knee, the tibia travels around the end of thefemur along a guided path that is controlled by the ligaments and softtissues that surround and provide support to the knee.

An alternate mount configuration involves an external fixture havingburrs attached thereto. The external fixture may be of any configurationthat supports the burrs in a position relative to the tibia forsculpting the femur. One example includes an external support memberhaving an arm extending therefrom, the burr attached at the distal endof the arm.

The motor may be an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a hydraulicmotor integral with the cutting element. Note that in the case of ahydraulic motor, the flexible shaft is not necessary. The cuttingelement may be driven by available surgical power instruments, such assurgical drills, Midas Rex and Anspaq hi speed drill/cutters, etc. Suchequipment is available in pneumatic and battery operated forms. Thecutting element may alternately be driven by a power source developeduniquely for this invention. For example, the power source may be anelectric or pneumatic motor. It may also be a hydraulic motor driven bysterile saline solution.

In the case of a hydraulic motor driven with saline solution, the motormay be incorporated into the milling cutter, as illustrated in FIGS. 15through 18. The vanes of the hydraulic motor are optionally machined aspart of the axial of the milling burr element, or machined into the endface of the milling burr element. Preferably, the housing 53 of thecutting device 55 includes a channel 57 for accommodating salinesolution to drive the hydraulic motor. FIGS. 15 and 16 show anembodiment wherein the vanes of the hydraulic motor are incorporatedinto the wheel 59 at the distal end of the housing 53. It is alsopossible, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, to have the blades 61 of thecutting element 55 function as the vanes of the hydraulic motor in whichcase the saline solution is directed against the cutting element toforce rotation.

FIGS. 19 through 30 depict cross-sectional views of various cuttingelements that may be used with the present invention. FIGS. 19 and 20show an end and side view, respectively, of one embodiment of a cuttingelement. Milling burrs 72 are placed in mount 73 and orientated with theaxels in a medial to later direction. Multiple milling burrs are shownto provide contact with the femoral condyle as the knee is flexed andthe tibiofemoral contact point moves distally. Alternately, one millingburr may be placed in a position that it remains in contact with thefemoral condyle throughout knee flexion. Although only the options ofone or four milling burrs are depicted, the invention may be practicedwith one or more milling burrs supported in the cradle. Further, thecradle may be provided with shoulders 71 having skidding surfaces forcontacting the femoral condyle.

FIGS. 21 and 22 shows an end view and a side view, respectively, of analternate embodiment for a cutting element in which the milling burr 74is contoured to provide a contoured resection in the femoral condyle. Acontoured resection removes less bone and the bone remaining isgenerally stronger than bone deeper in the condyle.

In an other embodiment as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the milling burr 72is oriented with its axel in an anterior to posterior direction. At kneeextension, the tibiofemoral contact point is near the anterior end ofthe milling burr. As the knee is flexed, the contact point movesposterior and approaches the posterior end of the milling cutter.

In similar fashion, FIGS. 25 and 26 show three milling burrs 76, 77, and78 in parallel with axels orientated in an anterior to posteriordirection. Such an embodiment provides for a broad resection of thefemoral condyle in one pass or flexion of the tibia. The medial andlateral milling burrs 76 and 78 may be of smaller diameter than thecentral milling burr 77, as seen in FIG. 27, to provide a smallercorresponding radius between the sidewalls of the cavity created in thefemoral condyle and the floor of the cavity.

Cartilage and bone of the femoral condyles may be removed in one or morepasses of a shaving element 80 as shown in FIGS. 28 through 30. Theshaving element 80 is off set from the surface of the mount 81 so that apre-determined amount of bone is shaved off of the femoral condyle witheach pass or flexion of the tibia. One or more shaving elements may besupported in the base of the cutting element.

Using the instrumentation shown, articular surface of the femur may besculpted according to the patient's individual physiology byarticulating the tibia with reference to the femur. The method involvesproviding the apparatus having a bone sculpting tool attached to a bonemount, attaching the mount rigidly to the second bone with the tool inbone sculpting engagement with the articular surface of the first bone,and then sculpting the articular surface by articulating one of thebones with respect to the other. FIG. 31 illustrates the kinematics ofthe articulation of the tibia 16 about the femur 10. The bony resectionsof the medial and lateral femoral condyles are made by securing thecutter to the tibia and articulating the tibia. The movement of thetibia in reference to the femur follows a J-curve because of the fourbar linkage of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, when bothare intact. In the absence of one or both cruciate ligaments, themovement of the tibia as the knee is flexed is controlled by thecollateral and capsular ligaments. The bony support surface thus createdin the medial and lateral femoral condyles will be shaped and positionedrelative to the kinematics of the given patient.

Preoperative evaluation of patient x-rays may be used to assessdeformity of the joint and appropriate spacing required to realign thejoint. Additionally, spacers, for example balloons, may be usedpreoperatively to assess the range of motion of the joint and patientkinematics.

During the surgery appropriate spacers are placed between the bonestructures to provide appropriate distraction and alignment of thejoint. A distraction force provided between the femur and the tibiaduring the sculpting procedure may be used to account for material thathas worn away from the articular surfaces. Use of a distraction forcegenerally re-establishes normal alignment of the joint. Such spacersalso tension the soft tissue structures to reduce the envelop of motionbetween the bone structures and increase transverse and rotationalstability of the joint. The spacer may further be used to support thebone-cutting element during resection of the bone structures. Ligamentreleases necessary to restore appropriate limb alignment and ligamenttension/balance may be performed prior to inserting the spacers.

Any one of a variety of devices may be used to maintain appropriatetension of the ligaments capsule and tendons. Such tensioning devicesmay include, but are not be limited to, gravity with the weight of thelower limb, intraarticular spacers, bladders, balloons, bellows, gearmechanisms, scissor mechanisms, or other expandable devices, or otherelements that might engage or attach to the opposing sides of the joint.Moreover, the distraction force may be provided by an expanding base inthe cutting element. A distraction device may also be useful inconjunction with a mount having skid surfaces on the shoulders. Theshoulder allows the depth and shape of the femoral resection to becontrolled both by the articulation of the tibia to the femur and theshape of the femur.

Specifically, for pre-operative assessment, spacers such as balloons maybe provided in both the medial and the lateral resections. Duringsurgery, a balloon may be provided in the medial resection and a spacer,for example a bellows, having a cutter attached may be provided in thelateral resection. Alternately a bellows having a cutter attached may beprovided in both the lateral and the medial resections.

FIGS. 32 and 33 provide closed and open depictions, respectively, of twocutting elements 61 and 63 linked by a hinge mechanism 62 to maintainthe cutting elements in a common plane while preparing the femoralcondyles. The hinge mechanism 62 allows adjustability of the placementof the two cutting elements 61 and 63 in reference to one another.

FIGS. 34 and 35 provide end and side views, respectively, of a cuttingelement 100 supported in a platform 102 that is configured for elevationvia fluid pressure applied to a distractor 104 that surrounds thecutting element 100. Applying pressure to the distractor 104 forces themilling burr into the femoral condyle to a predetermined depth as set bythe top surface of the cutting element. The distractor 104 incombination with the top surface of the cutting element ensures properresection depth while tensioning the soft tissue structures spanning theknee joint. The benefit of tensioning the soft tissue structures is toreduce the envelop of motion of the knee, stabilize the knee and provideincreased accuracy and repeatability of the femoral condyle resections.An alternate embodiment may use a spacer placed between the floor of thecavity created in the tibia and the bottom of the cutting element toprovide a distraction force.

FIG. 36 shows balloon spacers 110 used to support the femoral condylesto distract the femur 10. Syringes or pumps 112 may be attached viahoses 114 to balloon spacers 110. Balloon spacers 110 are an example ofan expandable spacer. Where an expandable spacer is used, pre-operativeevaluation should be performed. During surgery an expandable spacer isplaced between the bone structures to be resected. The cutting elementmay be housed in the dynamic spacer with the cutting element adjustableto the dynamic spacer to set the depth of resection. The dynamic spacermay function under load control in which case a constant distractionforce is applied between the bone structures throughout a range ofmotion, or under displacement control. Under displacement control, aconstant displacement is maintained between the bone structuresthroughout a range of motion. In each case, the dynamic spacer housesthe cutting element and the cutting element is held at a pre-set depthrelative to the bone structure being resected while the joint is flexedand extended. The dynamic spacer allows the kinematics of the joint todefine the resection path in each of the bone structures.

As the tibia is articulated through flexion and extension, the femoralcutter prepares resections in the femoral condyles for receiving femoralcomponents of a knee implant. FIG. 37 shows the bone resections 130 and132. FIGS. 38, 39, 44 and 45 depict alternate embodiments of femoralimplants placed in the bone resections in the femoral condyle.

Implants.

The surgical procedure is preferably performed through minimallyinvasive incisions that do not necessitate subluxation or dislocation ofthe patella. Therefore, implants such as the femoral, tibial or patellarimplants are designed that may be fit through minimally invasiveincisions and either oriented or joined within the joint. The femoraland tibial implants may be attached to bone with conventional bondingmethods such as with, but not limited to, polymethylmethacrylate or bydirect attachment to bone as with, but not limited to, a porous ingrowthsurface.

The tibial baseplate is optionally configured as one piece to cover mostof the prepared surface of the tibial plateau as relates to the knee. Ifconfigured as a single platform, the tibial baseplate provides a capturemechanism for a fixed bearing or a mobile bearing insert for either themedial or lateral tibiofemoral compartment. As an option a singleplatform is designed that provides a fixed bearing capture mechanism forthe medial tibiofemoral compartment and a mobile bearing capturemechanism or a simple platform to receive a mobile bearing insert. Sinceright and left tibial baseplates are required, the same baseplate may beused for a mobile bearing medial insert and a fixed bearing lateralinsert.

Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 40, the tibial implants may beconfigured as separate plateau baseplates for the medial and lateralcompartments. These platforms might be oriented one to the other by analignment instrument that dictates the orientation in relationship toeach other and/or to the femoral components. The tibial baseplates maybe fixed bearing and manufactured completely of polyethylene. Thus,fixed bearing tibial components 150 with a metal support tray 151, andmobile bearing tibial components 152 with metal support tray 153 may beused in the same knee replacement surgery. Furthermore, the tibialbaseplate may accommodate separate fixed and mobile bearing inserts ineither or both medial and lateral compartments.

It is preferable to place all of the implants through small incisions.As seen in FIG. 41, the femoral implants include a first component 131to resurface the articulating surface of the medial condyle and a secondcomponent 133 to resurface the articulating surface of the lateralcondyle. An optional third component 134 may be provided to resurfacethe femoral side of the patellofemoral joint. Optionally, the femoralcomponent(s) may include a fin along its support or convex internalsurface for upward driven implantation. The fin may be shaped as a webextending from one portion of the internal surface to another.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 45 the lateral femoral implant may becontinuous with the patellar flange forming a unitary piece 136 that maybe passed through a small incision. To accommodate the continuous piece,the lateral condylar component and the patellofemoral componentoptionally may be a single component 133 extending from the top of thepatellofemoral groove and extending over the lateral condyle bothdistally and posteriorly, as seen in FIGS. 39 and 45. FIG. 42 provides aside view of a femoral implant combining the lateral condylar componentand the patellofemoral component into a single component 136.

The bearing elements may be manufactured of ultra high molecular weightpolyethylene but may also be manufactured of any suitable biocompatiblematerial as known in the art. The bearing elements generally includethree compartments: medial tibial condyle, lateral tibial condyle andpatella. Preferably, a choice of bearing elements is provided for eitherfixed or mobile bearing of each compartment. Thus, for example, thesurgeon would have at his discretion inserting either a mobile bearingor a fixed bearing insert into each of the tibial components, one medialand one lateral.

The convex surface of the femoral condyle is the bearing surface andinteracts with the tibial bearing implants. Optionally, the femoralcomponent(s) may include a fin along its convex internal surface forupward driven implantation. The fin may be shaped as a web extendingfrom one portion of the internal surface to another.

The femoral components may include an alignment device to orientseparate femoral components in relationship to one another and/or to thetibial components.

The femoral components are provided in a variety of sizes and optionallyinclude components that are flexible to provide optimum fit for minorvariations in the shape of the prepared femoral condyles.

FIG. 43 is an illustration of an optional embodiment of the femoralcondyle implants configured as flexible implants. The outer surface ofthe femoral condyle implant is a thin sheet of metal forming anarticular surface preferable of cobalt chromium alloy. Other suitableimplant grade alloys, polymers, or metals, for example, stainless steel,titanium alloy, or Nitinol, may be used. In order to provide uniformdeflection in one plane, the implant is thin and of uniform crosssection. The support surface of the femoral condyle implant is linedwith molded bone cement, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA or PMA),spacers that are bonded to the articular surface. The spacers may beshaped as blocks or any other configuration suitable for molding inplace during fabrication. Generally, the spacers are shaped to span thefemoral condyle implant from side to side, in a coronal plane, whileproviding spaces between spacers at given intervals to facilitate mildflexing of the articular surface. Such flexing enables the flexiblefemoral condyle to conform to the unique shape of the prepared bonysupport surface in the femoral condyle, thereby taking full advantage ofthe kinematicly defined support surface. Such implants are provided in arange of sizes to accommodate individual patient physiology and tominimize the amount of flexing a given implant may make in conforming tothe prepared surface. Hence, the distortion of the articular surface isminimal.

In use, the resected femoral condyle is covered with doughy bone cement.The femoral implant is placed and loaded against the resected femoralcondyle until the bone cement cures.

The preferred method for preparing the femoral condyle uses the tibia asa support for the milling cutter. The soft tissue structures of the kneeprovide the path of motion to move the cutter through the femoralcondyle. The kinematics of the knee are well understood and defined.This approach necessarily results in a unique shape machined into eachfemoral condyle due to variations in soft tissue structures and bonystructures from patient to patient.

In an alternate embodiment, the femoral condyles may be ridged and ofgiven size. Each implant is composed of a plurality of components 170.Components 170 are cemented in place with bone cement, which acts as agrouting material to fill the space between the implant and thesupporting bone. Bone cement has been shown to provide long term implantstability when applied in thickness up to two mm. Hence, a range ofimplant sizes covers the range of femoral condyle sizes anticipated andthe variation in shape anticipated.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for replacing the surfaces of a joint between a firstbone and a second bone, the first bone articulating in a predeterminedmanner with a second bone, the apparatus comprising: a first boneimplant including a plurality of individual components for mimicking andreplacing the bearing surface of the first bone, each of said pluralityof individual components having an inner surface adapted to be securedto the first bone and an outer surface; and a second bone implant formimicking and replacing respective bearing surfaces of the second bone;wherein the outer surface of said plurality of individual components ofthe first bone implant contacts said second bone implant and furtherwherein each of said plurality of individual components of the firstbone implant are structured to be aligned, oriented and engaged one tothe other within the confines of the joint cavity during surgicalplacement therewithin and the resulting configuration of the first boneimplant and second bone implant articulate in a predetermined manner torestore proper kinematics; and further wherein the material used toconstruct the plurality of individual components of the first boneimplant is of a similar material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe components of the first bone implant and the second bone implant arealigned and oriented to each other within the confines of the jointcavity during surgical placement therewithin.
 3. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the second bone implant is configured as a unitary piece. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second bone implant furthercomprises a fixed bearing attachment and a bearing attached thereto, anda mobile bearing attachment and a bearing attached thereto.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second bone implant further comprises aplurality of components.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at leastone of the second bone components is fixed bearing.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein at least one of the second bone components is mobilebearing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second bone componentsare a combination of fixed bearing and mobile bearing components.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bone implant comprises twobearing-surface components.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefirst bone implant comprises three bearing-surface components.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of individualcomponents of the first bone implant further comprises a finlongitudinally disposed along an axis of said each of said plurality ofindividual components for driving the components into the first bone.12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bone implant is a femoralimplant and the second bone implant is a tibial implant.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bone implant and second boneimplant are each sized for insertion through a minimally invasiveincision.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofindividual components of the first bone implant are flexible components.15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individualcomponents of the first bone implant are rigid components.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual components ofthe first bone implant are a combination of rigid components andflexible components.
 17. An apparatus for replacing the surfaces of ajoint between a first bone and a second bone, the first bone normallyarticulating in a predetermined manner with a second bone, the apparatuscomprising a first bone implant including a plurality of individualcomponents for mimicking and replacing the bearing surface of the firstbone, each of said plurality of individual components having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface adapted to be secured tothe first bone and including a plurality of spacers thereon; and asecond bone implant for mimicking and replacing the bearing surface ofthe second bone; wherein the outer surface of said plurality ofindividual components of said first bone implant contacts the secondbone implant, and further wherein the components of the first boneimplant are joined within the confines of the joint cavity duringsurgical placement therewithin and the first bone implant and the secondbone implant articulate in a predetermined manner.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 further including a hardenable fluid for cementing the spacers.19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first bone implant and secondbone implant are each sized for insertion through a minimally invasiveincision.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the plurality ofindividual components of the first bone implant are flexible components.21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the plurality of individualcomponents of the first bone implant are rigid components.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 17 wherein the plurality of individual components ofthe first bone implant are a combination of rigid components andflexible components.
 23. A method of replacing the articular surfaces ofa first bone that normally articulates in a predetermined manner with asecond bone and replacing the articular surfaces of the second bone,comprising: a) resecting a portion of the second bone to provide thesecond bone with a resected cavity; b) providing an apparatus comprisinga bone-sculpting tool attached to a bone mount; c) attaching the mountrigidly in the cavity; d) sculpting the articular surfaces of the firstbone by articulating one of the bones with respect to the other; e)providing a first bone implant comprising a plurality of individualcomponents and a second bone implant; f) placing the components of thefirst bone in the first bone resections; g) placing the second boneimplant in the second bone resection; and h) joining the components ofthe first bone implant and the second bone implant within the confinesof the joint cavity.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step ofjoining further comprises aligning and orienting the components of thefirst bone implant and the second bone implant within the confines ofthe joint cavity.
 25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the stepof adjusting the position and orientation of the tool to bring the toolinto bone-sculpting engagement with the articular surface of the firstbone.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the second bone resection isformed by advancing a cutting mill into the second bone.
 27. The methodof claim 23 wherein the femoral implant comprises a first component forresurfacing the medial condyle and a second component for resurfacingthe lateral condyle.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the secondcomponent also resurfaces the patellofemoral groove.
 29. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the femoral implant comprises a first component forresurfacing the medial condyle, a second component for resurfacing thelateral condyle and a third component for resurfacing the patellofemoralgroove.
 30. The method of claim 23 wherein fins are provided centrallyon each component of the femoral implant for support.
 31. The method ofclaim 23 wherein each component further comprises a fin for driving intothe femur for implantation.
 32. The method of claim 23 wherein eachcomponent has an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein theinner surface is comprised of a plurality of spacers.
 33. The method ofclaim 32 wherein the a plurality of segments are bonded to an articularsurface.
 34. The method of claim 32 wherein the outer surface is a thinsheet of implant grade material.
 35. The method of claim 32 wherein theeach component is coated with a hardenable fluid.
 36. An apparatus forreplacing the surfaces of a femur and a tibia, where the tibia normallyarticulates in a predetermined manner with the femur, the apparatuscomprising: a femoral implant including a plurality of individualcomponents sized for insertion through a minimally invasive incision,each of said plurality of individual components having an inner surfaceand an outer surface, the inner surface adapted to be secured to thefemur; and a tibial implant including a plurality of individualcomponents sized for insertion through a minimally invasive incision;wherein the outer surface of said plurality of individual components ofthe femoral implant contact the tibial implant; and further wherein eachof the plurality of individual components of the femoral implant arestructured to be aligned, oriented and joined one to the other withinthe confines of the joint cavity during surgical placement therewithin,and each of the plurality of individual components of the tibial implantare structured to be aligned, oriented and joined to each other withinthe confines of the joint cavity during surgical placement therewithin,and the femoral implant and tibial implant articulate in a predeterminedmanner to restore proper kinematics.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36wherein the tibial implant comprises separate tibial components for themedial and lateral compartments of the tibia.
 38. The apparatus of claim36 wherein at least one of the tibial implant components is fixedbearing.
 39. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein at least one of thetibial implant components is mobile bearing.
 40. The apparatus of claim37 wherein the tibial implant components are a combination of fixedbearing and mobile bearing.
 41. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein theplurality of individual components of the femoral implant are flexiblecomponents.
 42. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the plurality ofindividual components of the femoral implant are rigid components. 43.The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the plurality of individual componentsof the femoral implant are a combination of rigid components andflexible components.
 44. An apparatus for replacing the articulatingsurfaces of a femur and a tibia, where the tibia normally articulates ina predetermined manner with a femur, the apparatus comprising: a femoralimplant including a plurality of individual components sized forinsertion through a minimally invasive incision each of said pluralityof individual components having an inner surface adapted to be securedto the femur and an outer surface; and a tibial implant comprising aplurality of individual components sized for insertion through aminimally invasive incision, the tibial implant components comprising afixed bearing attachment and a bearing attached thereto, and a mobilebearing attachment and a bearing attached thereto; wherein the outersurface of said plurality of individual components of the femoralimplant contact the tibial implant; and further wherein each of saidplurality of individual components of said femoral implant arestructured to be aligned, oriented and engaged one to the other withinthe confines of the joint cavity during surgical placement therewithin,and the components of the tibial implant are structured to be aligned,oriented and engaged one to the other within the confines of the jointcavity during surgical placement therewithin; and further wherein theresulting femoral implant and the tibial implant articulate in apredetermined manner to restore proper kinematics.
 45. The apparatus ofclaim 44 wherein the plurality of individual components of the femoralimplant are flexible components.
 46. The apparatus of claim 44 whereinthe plurality of individual components of the femoral implant are rigidcomponents.
 47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the plurality ofindividual components of the femoral implant are a combination of rigidcomponents and flexible components.
 48. A method of replacing thearticular surfaces of a first bone that normally articulates in apredetermined manner with a second bone and replacing the articularsurfaces of the first bone, comprising: a) resecting a portion of thesecond bone to provide a second bone resection; b) providing anapparatus comprising a bone-sculpting tool attached to a bone mount; c)attaching the mount rigidly to the second bone resection; d) sculptingthe articular surface to provide first bone resections of the first boneby articulating one of the bones with respect to the other; e) providinga hardenable fluid along the sculpted surface; f) providing a first boneimplant comprising a plurality of individual components wherein eachcomponent has an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein theinner surface is comprised of a plurality of spacers; g) providing asecond bone implant; h) placing the components of the first bone in thefirst bone resections; i) allowing the hardenable fluid to cure; j)placing the second bone implant in the second bone resection; and k)joining the components of the first bone implant within the confines ofthe joint cavity and joining the components of the second bone implantwithin the confines of the joint cavity.
 49. The method of claim 48further including articulating the second bone with respect to the firstbone such that the second bone implant moulds the plurality of spacersalong the shape of the resected surface.
 50. An apparatus for partiallyreplacing the surfaces of a femur, the apparatus comprising a pluralityof individual bearing-surface components sized for insertion through aminimally invasive incision, said plurality of individualbearing-surface components having an inner surface adapted to be securedto the femur and an outer surface adapted to contact a second boneimplant; wherein each of the plurality of individual bearing-surfacecomponents are structured to be individually placed into the jointcavity, and structured to be aligned, oriented and joined one to theother within the confines of the joint cavity during surgical placementtherewithin to restore proper kinematics; and further wherein thematerial used to construct the plurality of individual bearing-surfacecomponents is of a similar material.
 51. The apparatus of claim 50wherein the plurality of bearing-surface components replace a medial andlateral femoral condyle.
 52. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein theplurality of bearing-surface components replace a patellofemoral grooveand lateral femoral condyle.
 53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein theplurality of bearing-surface components replace a patellofemoral grooveand a medial femoral condyle.
 54. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein theplurality of individual bearing-surface components are flexiblecomponents.
 55. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the plurality ofindividual bearing-surface components are rigid components.
 56. Theapparatus of claim 50 wherein the plurality of individualbearing-surface components are a combination of rigid components andflexible components.
 57. An apparatus for partially replacing thesurfaces of a femur, the apparatus comprising a plurality of individualbearing-surface components sized for insertion through a minimallyinvasive incision wherein the plurality of individual bearing-surfacecomponents have an inner surface adapted to be secured to the femur andan outer surface adapted to contact a second bone implant, and furtherwherein each of the plurality of individual bearing-surface componentsare designed to be individually placed into the joint cavity andstructured to be aligned, oriented and engaged one to the other withinthe confines of the joint cavity during surgical placement therewithinto restore proper kinematics; and further wherein the material used toconstruct the plurality of individual bearing-surface components is of asimilar material.
 58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the plurality ofbearing-surface components replace a medial and lateral femoral condyleof the femur.
 59. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the plurality ofbearing-surface components replace a patellofemoral groove and lateralfemoral condyle of the femur.
 60. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein theplurality of bearing-surface components replace a patellofemoral grooveand medial femoral condyle of the femur.
 61. The apparatus of claim 57wherein the plurality of individual bearing-surface components areflexible components.
 62. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the pluralityof individual bearing-surface components are rigid components.
 63. Theapparatus of claim 57 wherein the plurality of individualbearing-surface components are a combination of rigid components andflexible components.
 64. A bicompartmental prosthesis configured forimplantation within a joint cavity comprising medial tibial and medialfemoral components and lateral tibial and lateral femoral components,each of said components having an inner surface and an outer surface,wherein the inner surface of said medial femoral component and lateralfemoral component are adapted to be secured to a femur and the innersurface of said medial tibial component and said lateral tibialcomponent are adapted to be secured to a tibia, and further wherein theouter surface of said medial femoral component and lateral femoralcomponent contact the outer surface of said medial tibial and lateraltibial components, and further wherein the medial femoral component andlateral femoral component are structured to be individually placed intothe joint cavity, and structured to be aligned, oriented and joined oneto the other within the confines of the joint cavity during surgicalplacement therewithin to restore proper kinematics and the medial tibialcomponent and lateral tibial component are designed to be individuallyplaced into the joint cavity, and structured to be aligned, oriented andjoined one to the other within the confines of the joint cavity duringsurgical placement therewithin to restore proper kinematics.
 65. Thebicompartmental prosthesis of claim 64 wherein the medial femoral andlateral femoral components are flexible components.
 66. Thebicompartmental prosthesis of claim 64 wherein the medial femoral andlateral femoral components are rigid components.
 67. The bicompartmentalprosthesis of claim 64 wherein the medial femoral and lateral femoralcomponents are a combination of rigid components and flexiblecomponents.
 68. A bicompartmental prosthesis for implantation within ajoint cavity comprising medial tibial and medial femoral components andlateral tibial and lateral femoral components, each of said componentshaving an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surfaceof said medial femoral component and lateral femoral component areadapted to be secured to a femur and the inner surface of said medialtibial component and said lateral tibial component are adapted to besecured to a tibia, and further wherein the outer surface of said medialfemoral component and lateral femoral component contact the outersurface of said medial tibial and lateral tibial components, and furtherwherein the medial femoral component and lateral femoral component arestructured to be individually placed into the joint cavity, andstructured to be aligned, oriented, and engaged one to the other withinthe confines of the joint cavity during surgical placement therewithinto restore proper kinematics and the medial tibial component and lateraltibial component are designed to be individually placed into the jointcavity, and structured to be aligned, oriented and engaged one to theother within the confines of the joint cavity during surgical placementtherewithin to restore proper kinematics.
 69. The bicompartmentalprosthesis of claim 68 wherein the medial femoral and lateral femoralcomponents are flexible components.
 70. The bicompartmental prosthesisof claim 68 wherein the medial femoral and lateral femoral componentsare rigid components.
 71. The bicompartmental prosthesis of claim 68wherein the medial femoral and lateral femoral components are acombination of rigid components and flexible components.
 72. Anapparatus for replacing the bearing-surface of a first bone comprising aplurality of individual bearing-surface first bone components sized forinsertion through a minimally invasive incision and including an innersurface adapted to be secured to said first bone and an outer surfaceadapted to contact a second bone implant, wherein each of the individualbearing-surface first bone components are structured to be individuallyplaced into the joint cavity, and structured to be aligned and orientedone to the other within the joint cavity during surgical placementtherewithin to restore proper kinematics; and further wherein thematerial used to construct the plurality of individual bearing-surfacefirst bone components is of a similar material.
 73. The apparatus ofclaim 72 wherein the first bone components are femoral components. 74.The apparatus of claim 73 wherein the femoral components are joinedwithin the confines of the joint cavity during surgical placementtherewithin.
 75. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein the femoralcomponents are engaged within the confines of the joint cavity duringsurgical placement therewithin.
 76. The apparatus of claim 72 whereinthe plurality of individual bearing-surface first bone components areflexible components.
 77. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the pluralityof individual bearing-surface first bone components are rigidcomponents.
 78. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the plurality ofindividual bearing-surface first bone components are a combination ofrigid components and flexible components.